GISAGARA District, Onion farmers in southern Province of Rwanda say their farming has shifted from subsistence to a commercial enterprise, following access to quality seeds, training.
Members of the KORWAMUKI Cooperative, operating in the Nyakanyeri agricultural scheme in Kigembe Sector, say that the CDAT project helped them significantly increase their yields.
Cooperative President Xaverine Mukeshimana notes that they previously faced numerous challenges, including poor soil conditions, a lack of technical knowledge, and low-yielding seeds.
"When CDAT arrived, we faced many problems, including the difficulty of obtaining quality seeds. They found our Nyakanyeri agricultural scheme in poor condition, and we lacked sufficient knowledge of modern farming techniques," she said.
She explains that they used to farm individually and relied on various seed types that did not yield sufficient harvests. "Before accessing quality seeds, we used to harvest about 4 tons from 3 hectares."
Following the support they received, production increased significantly. “We can now harvest up to 18 tonnes from 3 hectares,” he says, noting that this change is due to the support they received.
Individual farmers say that access to quality seeds and training has transformed their farming practices.
Jean Baptiste Ndahimana explains that, previously, limited financial means forced him to buy substandard seeds. “I used to get poor-quality seeds because good ones were expensive. I would harvest between 200 and 300 kg from 5 ares,” he says.
After receiving assistance from CDAT, his yield increased. “Now, I can harvest up to 600 kg from 5 Ares.” He also mentions that he learned to produce organic manure, which reduces farming costs.
Project data shows that 45 hectares of demonstration plots were used to showcase modern onion farming techniques.
Across the 15 districts where CDAT conducts vegetable farming activities, 270 tons of onion seeds were distributed. At the national level, onion yields rose from 13 tons per hectare in Season B 2024 to 14.8 tons in Season B 2025, representing an increase of nearly 14%.
For the 623 members of KORWAMUKI, this support comprising seeds, training, and leadership development has transformed their farming into a more profitable business.
Written By Jean Bernard MUKUNDENTE